The Wicked Trinity, Judgement Day, 2000 AD, Traveller: Far Trader and Clay Footed Giants
Archie Comics, Rebellion, Markosia & Mad Cave Studios
News from across comics, including:
A new Sabrina spin-off from Archie Comics
Some demon fighting from Archie
A new jumping-on point for 2000 AD
A new issue of Traveller: Far Trader.
Mad Cave Studios brings a new style of graphic novel that addresses Masculinity, Trauma, and Parenthood
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Building on their horror comics, Archie Comics has a new one-shot comic coming from the world of Sabrina the Teenage Witch in The Wicked Trinity.
Bad witches Amber, Sapphire, and Jade join forces in THE WICKED TRINITY from Archie Comics in June!
There's a whole coven of trouble in store for Archie Comics readers this June! A trio of witches with vengeance and power on their minds hits the halls of Greendale High, Sabrina Spellman's stomping grounds, in THE WICKED TRINITY, an all-new one-shot comic book written by Sam Maggs with art by Lisa Sterle.
“Real witches writing real witches — that's how we do things over at Archie Comics!" Maggs said. I was named after a famous witch — Samantha from Bewitched — and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me."
The titular trinity — Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill — debuted in Archie's classic-look line of kids' comics over the past year, where they embark on an ongoing plot to usurp the status of various magic-wielders. Their abilities and personalities reflect the elements from which they derive their powers: fire, wind, and water respectively. THE WICKED TRINITY will be their first appearance in Archie's line of comics for older readers.
“When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity, I was immediately intrigued," said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante. "I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”
Those recent comics mark a renewed focus on the "dark academia" genre for Archie, centering teenage friends with magical powers in horror-tinged stories set in mysterious gothic academies harboring dark secrets.
"The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched," Maggs added, "and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what's better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I'm totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you'll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too."
Sterle added, “I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical. Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity!"
THE WICKED TRINITY releases June 12 in comic shops nationwide, with colors by Ellie Wright, lettering by Jack Morelli, and an open-to-order variant cover by Soo Lee. It will be available for pre-order on March 22.
In more Archie Comics news and additional horror, it’s Archie taking on demon hordes on Judgement Day.
The Archie Premium Event label launches with ARCHIE COMICS: JUDGMENT DAY, a mind-bending mini-series by Aubrey Sitterson and Megan Hutchison that pushes the Archie Horror brand to new heights of longer-format storytelling, in high-end collectible print comics with premium paper and cardstock covers made especially for comic shops and fans.
In the bloody second issue releasing June 19, Archie continues his assault on the demons who have overrun Riverdale in the End of Days, a shocking event whose origins are shrouded in mystery that is taking out Archie's pals one-by-one — or rather, Archie is taking them out! Riverdale's hero has bonded with a demon to gain extranormal powers, but what has he lost?
“We aren't pulling any punches on this one," Sitterson said. "JUDGMENT DAY is built around the presentation of stunning spreads that incentivize and reward careful study and rumination. It's a book to read slowly and in print to fully appreciate what everyone involved has taken such deliberate care to produce, inclusive of the new Archie Premium Event format. If you read Jed Dougherty’s and my ARCHIE VS THE WORLD, you might have a bit of an idea what you're getting yourself into."
Hutchison added, “As a long time Archie fan, I will say there’s something very satisfying about taking characters you love and smashing them apart. For new Archie fans — Yes! Welcome! Get ready for the gore. You’re going to be involved with characters in a new world that will haunt you and will leave you wanting more. And don’t get attached to anyone.”
There’s a new jumping-on point in Prog 2375 of 2000 AD from Rebellion, with new stories and some great hits!
New readers start here! The new issue of 2000 AD has been precision-tooled for those hungry to discover why it’s called the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic – with bitingly good stories from top comics talent!
Acclaimed Scalped and Django Unchained artist R.M. Guera heads the new issue’s stunning creative line-up alongside Suicide Squad and Petrol Head writer Rob Williams, Alex de Campi (Dracula, Motherf**ker!), Eduardo Ocaña (Messiah Complex), Simon Davis (The Royal Society of Portrait Painters), and many more in a special bumper issue.
2000 AD #2375 is a 48-page special on sale from 27 March, with a bold new cover by Hitman artist John McCrea and colourist Jack Davies.
This latest issue is designed to make it easy for new readers to pick up 2000 AD, with a mix of brand new stories and ongoing series that showcase the best the GGC has to offer!
Reunited on Judge Dredd for the first time since 2014’s ‘The Man Comes Around’, Williams and Guera’s new story, ’First Man Up’, is the prelude to their forthcoming thriller ‘Rend & Tear with Tooth & Claw’, which begins in 2000 AD #2376, on sale 3 April.
Supported by colourist Julia Brusco and letterer Annie Parkhouse, ’First Man Up’ sees Dredd plunge into the dangerous streets of Mega-City One to select a Cadet Judge for a new, top secret mission – but what many-fanged horrors await them in the coming weeks?
There is the senses-expanding return of alien space Imperium super-agent Proteus Vex in ‘Devious’ by Michael Carroll (Dreadnoughts) and Jake Lynch (Judge Dredd). As the centuries-long war between the Alliance and the Obdurate people ends, Vex is now wanted, missing, and presumed dead...
With the announcement of the Rogue Trooper movie in 2025, it’s the perfect time to discover the missions of the lone blue-skinned Genetic Infantryman and, in the complete story ‘War Child’, writer David Barnett (Eve Stranger), artist Paul Marshall (Judge Dredd), colourist Pippa Bowland and letterer Jim Campbell reveal the all-too-harsh realities of life on war-torn Nu Earth.
Meanwhile, Alex de Campi, Eduardo Ocaña, Eva De La Cruz and Annie Parkhouse continue the space opera on Full Tilt Boogie as teenage bounty hunter Tee, her grandmother and cat – as well as their unintended passengers, a prince and a resurrected warrior – seek refuge but find their troubles only multiplying; and Kek-W, Lee Carter and Jim Campbell step into a world where everything really is black-and-white in reality-warping saga Indigo Prime.
Plus there’s the mind-shattering conclusion of the latest series of fully-painted folk horror Thistlebone, ‘The Dule Tree’ by T.C. Eglington and Simon Davies.
2000 AD #2375 is a 48-page special on sale from 27 March from all good comic book stores and newsagents, as well as digitally through the 2000 AD webshop and app.
Markosia has a new issue out this week - Traveller: Far Trader #2.
Markosia is pleased to announce that the latest issue of it’s hit Traveller comic, produced in association with Mongoose Publishing, is available to pre-order now!
Traveller: Far Trader #2
Aramis Subsector. The Imperial frontier. This isolated and volatile region is where the brave crew of the Nelanaak, or “Slowhand” as they call her, make their way as tramp traders. Buying low and selling high is the name of the game. Sometimes a single trading ship can make all the difference in a backwater place like Aramis, but sometimes such a ship is unwelcome. Traders must tread carefully.
Traveller is the role-playing game of the far future, first published in 1977, now brought to you by Mongoose Publishing. Traveller: Far Trader is a foray into Traveller’s celebrated Charted Space setting, where ordinary spacers take on extraordinary challenges.
This issue also includes bonus material for the game that describes Carsten Station, an orbital space station on the Imperial frontier, a place your Travellers can visit, engage in trade, have adventures, and brave the dangers of a wild frontier starport.
Written by Chris Griffen and illustrated by Xavier Bernard, Traveller: Far Trader #2 will be out on April 30th and is available to pre-order now from the following link:
https://mybook.to/TRAVELLERFT2
Mad Cave Studios has unveiled Clay Footed Giants: A Groundbreaking Graphic Novel on Masculinity, Trauma, and Parenthood.
A tragicomic meditation on masculinity, violence, and parenthood. Two fathers dig down to the roots of inherited trauma before it’s too late. Growth is possible, but so is oblivion…
Announcing CLAY FOOTED GIANTS, the critically-acclaimed graphic novel co-written by David Plath prize winner Mark McGuire and Alain Chevarier, with art by Alain Chevarier, is being released for English language audiences for the first time, only from Mad Cave Studios!
Pat and Mathieu are proto-feminist dads who try not to repeat their father's mistakes, but trauma inherited from previous generations makes family life volatile. Their partners earn more money and travel constantly for work, leaving these forty-somethings to assume a role traditionally reserved for women: taking care of the kids and the home. Despite their best intentions, they quickly collide against their own limits.
Pat is particularly affected. His parents separated when he was young and his father is a notorious alcoholic. Pat has been crippled by rage since childhood. He must find the origins of this darkness before he transmits it to his own kids.
“Alain and I met on a basketball court in Montréal during a parent-kid activity on a subzero Sunday morning,” said Mark McGuire. “He showed me photos of haunting paintings probing his grandfather's prisoner of war experiences. We decided to make a graphic novel together exploring society's evolving understanding of gender roles, parenting and trauma. Over six years as we wrote and rewrote our story, I saw our characters magically come to life in Alain's delicate pencil strokes. Talking about my struggles helped me realize I wasn't alone, and that sharing our story might help others. The entire Mad Cave team has worked with remarkable dedication and enthusiasm to refine our story and find our audience. It's a huge privilege to collaborate with experienced professionals who are passionate about visual storytelling.”
“Mark and I sat down at his kitchen counter once a week for 6 years to work on Clay Footed Giants,” said Alain Chevarier. “After we got published by a small Quebec publishing house, we got to go to the Festival de la Bande dessinée d’Angoulême, in France. The book was originally written in English in Montreal, and then translated to French. McGuire being American, he really wanted our work to be seen in his homeland. Amongst all the international editors present at the Angoulême book market, we got lucky enough to meet with Mad Cave’s Mark Irwin and pitch our story. We were immediately told the whole Mad Cave team was interested! It’s been a huge thrill to work with Mad Cave since, and our experience as authors has been a breeze. We feel pampered!”
Don’t miss this suspenseful yet humorous tale that readers of Allison Bechdel’s Fun Home will connect with!
The "Shoot the Book" FIBD Angoulême and Bédéis Causa award finalist, Clay Footed Giants is set for release Oct. 8, and is now available for preorder at your favorite book store, local comic shop, and www.madcavestudios.com.
